Page 178 of Right Man, Right Time
Miss Owens,
Your article has been reviewed and although it was not what we asked for, we’ve deemed it adequate. It’ll be published in the next few days.
Please note, you have gained credit for your internship, although barely. I suggest in the future, when you’re given an assignment, you execute it correctly.
As for your internship for the rest of the year, it is up to you if you would like to stay. I have other candidates more than happy to come back to the office for experience, candidates more willing to listen and execute assignments properly.
If you’d like to move forward, I suggest we have a conversation about advancing your career and what that takes.
Sincerely,
Alan Roberts
I read the email a few more times, my heart pounding in my chest.
I passed, but . . . Roberts is also not happy, and if Roberts is not happy, then that means I could be fucked. Future employers will see his name on my résumé, they’ll call for a reference, and if he tells them that I’m not a team player or that I don’t listen to instruction, that could be very bad.
I press my hand to my forehead in distress. Sure, it was a long shot that he’d like the article, given he wanted something else from me, but I wasn’t expecting such a negative, scathing response.
Needing to talk this through in private, I quickly make my way to a conference room, lock the door, and dial Ross’s number.
On the second ring, he answers, “Hey girl, I was just about to text you. Those cider donuts you like are back in stock at the store. Want me to grab you some?”
“Uh, sure,” I say, my voice shaky.
“What’s wrong?” Ross asks, clearly able to read me so well.
“Roberts emailed me.”
“Oh shit, did he not like the article?”
“He claimed it was adequate. I passed and got a credit for the internship.”
“Well, that’s a good thing.”
“Sort of. He wasn’t happy in the email and made a dig that if I don’t want to listen to the assignments, other candidates would gladly take my position for the extended internship.”
“He said that? Damn. That’s not good.”
“I know,” I say on a groan. “I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am, Ross. What am I supposed to do now? What if he gives me another assignment on the Agitators? I can’t write that piece. But if I go against him, he could seriously make sure I don’t ever get a job after college, and then what? I go back home?”
“Okay, I can hear you’re spiraling a touch. First of all, you got credit for the internship, so that’s good. That’s all you needed, so pat yourself on the back. And you did it without compromising Silas. Now, as for the rest of the internship, I’d take it one day at a time. Meet with him, feel out Roberts and see where his head is at. It would be best if you probably reminded him of where you excel, maybe even come in with a few assignment ideas, how you can be beneficial to the company, and see what he says from there.”
“That’s a good idea,” I say, feeling the tension slightly ease from my chest. “If I go into the meeting prepared, then I can at least provide him with options rather than him dictate. I mean, he will dictate, but if I can sell myself on the lifestyle brands while emphasizing my piss-poor hockey reporting, maybe he’ll ease up.”
“I think it’s a great idea. And before you meet with him, please talk to me about your ideas first. We don’t need you going in there with anything lame. You need to wow him.”
“Oh, I will,” I say. “Trust me, I won’t do anything stupid, not with so much on the line.”
“Good,” he answers. “Okay, so yes to the donuts?”
I chuckle. “Are the donuts for me, or are they for you?”
“You know I always use you as a scapegoat when it comes to pastries.”
“Yes to the donuts.”
“Okay, I’ll grab two boxes just because I know you love them so much.”
